Safety corridor decommissioned

The Highway 26 safety corridor between Sandy and Gresham is no more. On Tuesday, Oct. 17, Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) officials took down the signs, signaling the end of the corridor, which was designated in December 1999.

The recent three-year average of the corridor's fatal and serious injury crash rate dropped below 110 percent of the statewide average for a similar-type roadway, qualifying it for decommissioning.

'The data of the last three years is telling us that the area doesn't qualify (any more),' said Shawn Uhlman, ODOT head of public relations. 'We are, of course, pleased with that, (but) it is important to point out that it is ever changing. We will continue to monitor this and we will continue to be a presence out there'

The 7.3-mile stretch of road - which runs from Orient Drive to Hilyard Road - will no longer initiate the doubling of fines or any other penalties. Drivers are encouraged to continue practicing safe driving in the area.